OHIO CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION
UNION NEWS / MAY 15, 2025

Last week we announced that OCSEA joined forces with a coalition of Ohio public employee unions to submit a "Demand for Impact Bargaining" regarding the State of Ohio’s unilateral decision to significantly increase health insurance premiums for state workers, effective July 1. The State of Ohio has since denied the demand by the seven unions, forcing OCSEA to file a second Unfair Labor Practices (ULP) charge against the state over the proposed health care hike.

In OCSEA’s ULP Statement of Fact, relief sought includes rescinding the unilaterally implemented premium increases, restoring status quo regarding contractually-negotiated health care premiums and benefits, and commencing in good faith impact bargaining. The union argues that the state’s refusal constitutes a violation of the Ohio Revised Code for the following reasons:

• It represents a failure and refusal to bargain in good faith over a mandatory subject of bargaining, namely the cost of healthcare premiums, which directly affects the economic terms and conditions of employment;
• The unilateral premium increase—without providing the unions an opportunity to bargain over its impact—violates established bargaining obligations under the statute;
• The State’s reliance on “past practice” and references to the Joint Health Care Committee (JHCC) as a substitute for formal bargaining does not satisfy its legal obligation to engage in impact bargaining when significant changes to terms and conditions of employment are made unilaterally;
• The State’s characterization of its conduct as consistent with previous practice does not absolve it of its duty to bargain when the change in cost is substantial and newly burdens employees.

Additionally, the coalition of unions has made a laundry list of information requests to the state including financial documents, communications, and analysis related to the state’s decision to increase health care premiums. The unions are asking that the requests, submitted to the Office of Collective Bargaining, be fulfilled by no later than May 20, 2025. The union coalition includes OCSEA, SEIU/1199, OSTA (Ohio State Troopers Association), OEA (Ohio Education Association), FOP (Fraternal Order of Police), FOP Unit 2 and CWA (Communication Workers of America).

Please stay tuned to these union newsletters and the OCSEA website for updates and member calls-to-action on this very important issue.  

In the latest edition of the OCSEA Public Employee Quarterly magazine, OCSEA members––proud public employees––

share their stories of public service and what it means to them. The work of these proud public employees touches lives in more ways than we can count, every single day.

 

At every level of government, union members serving in a federal, state and local public capacity use their knowledge and expertise to keep our communities safe, healthy, prosperous, informed and so much more. Public service encompasses a wide range of jobs, each valuable and each contributing to the well-being of our society––and making a positive impact for all Ohioans.  

 

The members spotlighted in the Spring 2025 magazine article "Why We Serve" encompasses an array of important public employee union members. This includes an AmeriCorps program officer with ServeOhio; an Instructional Aide with an emphasis on physical education for the Ohio State School for the Blind; and Financial Analyst and former Highway Technician (HT) at the Ohio Dept. of Transportation. The work they do matters!

READ THEIR STORIES

Click above to download Spring 2025 magazine

TELL YOUR STORY

The OCSEA Steward Conference will be held Saturday, June 7, 2025 in Westerville. The event registration deadline is May 30.

 

Overnight lodging for the conference will be held at the Renaissance Hotel at 490 Altair Parkway, Westerville, OH 43082. For those wanting to register for a room, the cost is $174.00 plus tax. Use the online booking link below or call 1-833-427-0292 and ask for the "OCSEA Steward Conference - June 6" hotel rate. The deadline to book a room at the Steward Conference rate is May 16, 2025.

BOOK HOTEL

REGISTER FOR
THE CONFERENCE 

Anti-union extremists in Congress are advancing a devastating budget plan that will gut funding for Medicaid, all to finance tax breaks for billionaires. Public union jobs in states around the nation will be directly impacted when there’s less funding to support health care, child and home care, public safety, education and more. Go here to call your member of Congress and say "Don't Cut Medicaid!"

If the Medicaid cuts are passed by Congress, this will amount to the largest cut to health care for working families in history––all to fund tax breaks for billionaires.This could mean...

• Cutting at least $715 billion from health programs, according to an early analysis from the Congressional Budget Office.
• Taking away health care insurance from 13.7 million people. More than 1 in 5 Americans depend on Medicaid for care. 
• Reducing or eliminating funding for hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and more–– especially in rural and low-income communities. 
• Driving up health care costs for all, hurting our economy, and in turn hurting everyone––whether you’re on Medicaid or not.

Learn more about attacks to public service and how you can get updates on the AFSCME Get Organized campaign to stay informed on cuts. 

TAKE ACTION

OCSEA members gathered in Perrysburg, Ohio the weekend of May 2-3 for the 2025 Women’s Action Committee (WAC) Conference. This year’s conference theme was “Hope & Happiness Go Hand-in-Hand,” exploring the ways union members can build hope for the future through solidarity and coalition building for happier and stronger communities.

 

Visit THIS LINK to see the conference wrap up, including speakers, photo gallery and recap video.

CONFERENCE WRAP UP